Bird Activity Book: For Wildlife Clubs of Malawi - African Bird Club

98 Pages·2010·3.62 MB·English

by  G. Mphepo

BIRD ACTIVITY BOOK
For Wildlife Clubs of Malawi

WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETY OF MALAWI
Bird Activity Book For Wildlife Clubs of Malawi
Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi, Zomba.

Printed by Fattani Offset Printers, Blantyre, Malawi, Sept 2010.
Cover Photo of Sunbird by Maggie Parsons.

Publications available from:
WESM Zomba branch
Pvt Bag 7 Zomba
Malawi
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
BIRD ACTIVITY BOOK FOR WILDLIFE CLUBS OF MALAWI

Compiled and written by
Deepa Pullanikkatil
Matthews Chilambo

WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIETY OF MALAWI
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. 4
1. Introduction to WESM.............................................................................................. 5
2. Bird Education in the School Curriculum ................................................................ 6
3. Introduction to Birds ................................................................................................ 7
3.1 What is a Bird? ........................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Parts of a Bird ........................................................................................................ 7
3.2.1 Feathers and wings ............................................................................................................................. 8
3.2.2 Bills or Beaks ....................................................................................................................................... 9
3.2.3 Eyes, ears and feet .............................................................................................................................. 9
3.3 Classification of Birds ........................................................................................... 11
4. How Birds fly? ......................................................................................................... 13
5. What do Birds Eat? ................................................................................................. 14
6. How to Identify Birds? ............................................................................................ 18
7. Nests of Birds .......................................................................................................... 23
8. What are Habitats? ................................................................................................. 26
9. Food Chain .............................................................................................................. 32
10. Bird Behaviour ........................................................................................................ 36
11. Bird Migration ......................................................................................................... 39
12. Poems on Birds ....................................................................................................... 41
13. Birds in Danger ....................................................................................................... 42
14. Bird Champions ...................................................................................................... 45
15. Bird Watching in Malawi ........................................................................................ 49
16. Start a Bird Club in your school ............................................................................... 51
17. References ............................................................................................................... 58
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Table of Figures
Figure 1 Parts of a Bird (Image Source: African Handbook of Birds) ............................................................. 7
Figure 2 Feathers and wings help birds fly (Image Source : Birdlife Botswana) ........................................... 8
Figure 3 Bird Wing parts (Image source: African Handbook of Birds) .......................................................... 8
Figure 4 Beaks of birds (Images adapted from Birdlife Botswana) ................................................................ 9
Figure 5 Eyes of Birds (Image source: Birdlife Botswana, African Handbook of Birds) ............................ 10
Figure 6 Foot of Eagle and Duck (Image Source: African Handbook of Birds, Birdlife Bostwana) .......... 10
Figure 7 Classification of birds according to their size (Images adapted from Birdlife Botswana) ............ 12
Figure 8 Bird feeds on insect (Image source: African Handbook of Birds).................................................. 14
Figure 9 Lizard Buzzard feeding (Image Source: African Handbook of Birds)............................................ 15
Figure 10 Pied Kingfisher feeding on a fish ..................................................................................................... 15
Figure 11 Birds next to their nests (Image Source: African Handbook of Birds) ......................................... 23
Figure 12 Birds next to their nests (Image Source: African Handbook of Birds) ......................................... 24
Figure 13 Grasslands ......................................................................................................................................... 26
Figure 14 Woodlands ......................................................................................................................................... 27
Figure 15 Wetland .............................................................................................................................................. 27
Figure 16 Food Chain ........................................................................................................................................ 32
Figure 17 Food Chain (Image Source: Birdlife Seyshelles) ............................................................................ 33
Figure 18 Ostrich (Image Source: Birdlife Botswana) ................................................................................... 45
Figure 19 Bee Hummingbird (Image Source: Birdlife Botswana) ................................................................ 45
Figure 20 Peregrine Falcon (Image Source: Birdlife Botswana) .................................................................. 46
Figure 21 Penguin (Image Source: Birdlife Botswana) .................................................................................. 46
Figure 22 Kori Bustard (Image Source: Birdlife Botswana) ......................................................................... 47
Figure 23 Ruppell's Vulture (Image Source: Williams J.G, Arlott N, 1963) .................................................. 47
Figure 24 Horus Swift (Image Source: African Handbook of Birds) ........................................................... 48
Figure 25 Australian Pelican (Image Source: www.australiagift.com) ......................................................... 48
Figure 26 Locations for Bird watching in Malawi (Modified from Wheatley N, 1996) ................................ 49

Table of Activities
Activity 1 Match the Bird to its food ................................................................................................................. 15
Activity 2 Make a Bird Feeder ........................................................................................................................... 17
Activity 3 Bird watching in the School garden ................................................................................................ 20
Activity 4 Bird Observation ............................................................................................................................... 21
Activity 5 Build a Bird's Nest ............................................................................................................................ 24
Activity 6 Nests on Nature Table ...................................................................................................................... 24
Activity 7 Match the birds to their Habitats ..................................................................................................... 27
Activity 8 Know the Habitat ..............................................................................................................................28
Activity 9 Group Discussion .............................................................................................................................. 32
Activity 10 Food Chain Game............................................................................................................................ 33
Activity 11 Web of life game .............................................................................................................................. 35
Activity 12 What is the bird doing? ................................................................................................................... 37
Activity 13 Listening to birds ............................................................................................................................38
Activity 14 Make a Migration Calendar ............................................................................................................ 39
Activity 15 Migration Game.............................................................................................................................. 40
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Activity 16 Poem and Story writing competition ............................................................................................. 41
Activity 17 Case Study of Dodo Bird extinction................................................................................................ 44
Activity 18 Draw a poster .................................................................................................................................. 44
Activity 19 Bird word find ................................................................................................................................. 51
Activity 20 Crossword Puzzle 1 ......................................................................................................................... 52
Activity 21 Crossword Puzzle 2 ......................................................................................................................... 53
Activity 22 Quiz for Bird Club ........................................................................................................................... 54
Activity 23 Guessing game ................................................................................................................................ 55
Activity 24 Bird Bingo (Source: Birdlife Botswana) ........................................................................................ 55
Activity 25 Memory game ................................................................................................................................. 56
List of Tables
Table 1 Identifying small and large birds (adapted from Birdlife Botswana) ................................................. 11
Table 2 Globally threatened species and their threat level in Malawi (Birdlife International, 2004).......... 43
Table 3 Threatened birds in Malawi (From Birdlife International, the IUCN Red List Authority for birds,
Threatened Birds of the World 2008) .............................................................................................................. 50

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Acknowledgements

The Zomba Branch of the Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) would like to express its
deep appreciation to Doreen McColaugh and Birdlife Botswana for their permission to draw extensively
from the Bird Activity Book which they kindly provided and which formed the basis for this document.
Also to Birdlife Seychelles for their willingness to share their book “Birds are Brilliant” which has provided
the inspiration for a number of the activities in this volume.
Without the help of these two Birdlife groups this Activity Book would have been much more limited and
WESM is grateful for their ready offer of assistance.
WESM also thanks John Wilson for his contributions to this book and Maggie Parsons for providing us
with the photo of sunbird used in the cover page. The efforts of the Field Officers of WESM and members
who contributed towards this book are sincerely appreciated.
The Branch is indebted to Danish supporters for funding the printing of this book.

Stephen Carr
Chairperson, Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (Zomba)

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1. Introduction to WESM

Background
WESM was founded in Blantyre in 1947 and in its early days concentrated on the protection of larger
mammals. It was active in the establishment of national reserves and parks and successfully campaigned
for the tightening of hunting laws. In 1975 the Zomba branch was established and in the 1980’s the
Society started to focus more broadly on the whole environment and not just on mammals. It issued a
mission statement to the effect that it “Would promote full public participation in the wise management of
wildlife, natural resources and the environment of Malawi.” In consequence it was heavily involved in the
development of the National Environmental Action Plan and in the production of a wide range of
publications on environmental issues. At the national level the Society has been involved in conservation,
integrated natural resources management and advocacy. Realising the importance of encouraging young
people to be aware of their natural environment and its conservation the Society has established Wildlife
Clubs in schools and colleges across the country.

Activities of WESM Zomba
The Branch is situated near to three major areas of environmental richness, namely The Zomba Plateau,
Liwonde National Park and Lake Chilwa and it has sought to help local members ot have a greater
understanding of the potential of these areas as well as the threats to them. On the Plateau club members
have been responsible for changing the site of a major dam so as to save a unique floral system,
subsequently rehabilitating the area damaged by the dam’s construction and maintaining a system of
paths around the Plateau to provide access to its rich environment. In Liwonde National Park the branch
has provided the backbone of animal monitoring exercises. On Lake Chilwa the branch has focussed on
helping the bird hunting community to establish 1,000 hectares of protected breeding areas for different
species of birds as well as encouraging methods of hunting which will help to sustain the valuable bird
resource of this Ramsar site. To reinforce this work it has established some 400 Wildlife Clubs and
supports three full time coordinators to assist the Club leaders.

The Purpose of this book:
A range of publications to help Club leaders have been distributed over the years, but none have focused
on birds. The bird population in Malawi is under threat from habitat destruction and hunting and WESM
is concerned to make young people aware of this potential loss of an essential component to their
environment by raising their awareness and interest in birds. The book seeks to involve the young people
in activities and not just in passive classroom teaching and to provide club leaders with a range of ideas to
make their meetings more attractive and consequently more effective.

Stephen Carr
Chairperson, Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (Zomba)
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2. Bird Education in the School Curriculum

Over the years we have gradually become aware of the impact of our species on the rest of life on Earth.
We are yet to find answers to the problems we have created on other species. Some species are so
vulnerable that if we do not have empathy on them they may become extinct within our lifetime.
Birds are vulnerable creatures. A simple catapult can kill a bird in any position. Yet some of us resort to
even using a shotgun to kill birds. This ignorance about the importance of birds in the environment
compels us to instill skills in our school children, which will sustain the bird population in our country.
Birds which eat insects and pests in our gardens are useful to us by helping our plants to grow and not
damaged from pest infestation. Birds are thus better than insecticides and pesticides that we would spray
in our garden, as such chemicals have adverse health impacts to us.
The study of birds is very interesting – it is a healthy and soothing experience to watch birds. One can
relax after hard work by bird watching. Bird watching also sharpens the ability to observe purposefully. As
children keep accurate records, they will develop critical thinking skills.
Some birds are observed in captivity. After analysis of the types of snares and traps for catching birds,
children will learn positive attitudes towards birds. They will appreciate the vulnerable nature of such
little creatures. They will learn to be responsible for protection of wild birds. They will learn to recognize
humans’ role in the loss of some of the birds and their habitats. They will love nature and adore the variety
in colour, voices and habits of birds.
As the children work on activities in this book such as weaving imitations of birds’ nests , they will observe
the skill and ingenuity used in building. Bird observation and study should lead to a safe and sustainable
environment in which birds will live without fear of snares and people. Such a development will attract
people to these areas which the Wildlife Clubs of Malawi have created.

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3. Introduction to Birds
Did you know?
Not all creatures that
This Bird Activity book is intended to create awareness and educate
fly are birds; Bats are
students at primary school levels about bird life in Malawi. The Wildlife
animals that can fly but
clubs in the schools can use this book to make learning about birds both
they are not birds.
fun and stimulating. This book introduces the children to Ornithology and
bird activities that can be done both inside the classroom and in the field,
thus making learning interesting. Let us begin with the basic
understanding of what a bird is.

3.1 What is a Bird?
Penguins are also birds.
A bird is a two legged, feathered, warm blooded creature that lays eggs.
Infact they are the
Most birds are able to fly with the help of their wings. Scientists believe
fastest swimming birds,
there are over 9000 different species of birds in the world. Birds are found
however due to their
in woodlands, wetlands, cities, deserts, grasslands and almost anywhere!
solid heavier bones they
Birds come in a variety of colours but all of them will have two legs, two cannot fly.
wings, a beak and feathers. In Malawi there are about 653 species of birds
and is a popular country for birdwatchers. There are some birds only
found in Malawi and not found anywhere else in the world. The next
section will discuss the parts of a bird.
3.2 Parts of a Bird

Figure 1 Parts of a Bird (Image Source: African Handbook of Birds)
Figure 1 shows the different parts of a bird. Birds have wings and feathers that help them to fly. They have
beaks that help them eat food. They have eyes, ears and feet just like us and all these parts are discussed
in detail in this chapter.
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